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White Knuckle Off Road Hitch Step

Heavy Duty, 4×4 trail ready, White Knuckle Off Road hitch step

Another accessory for the road ahead. White Knuckle Off Road’s heavy-duty Hitch Step. While I’m capable of entering and exiting the Hallmark camper with nothing more than my Reunel step-bumper, and do so occasionally, it’s nice to have something to bridge the 40″ to the door’s threshold. Typically that’s one of two plastic folding steps, one that is a bit shorter but travels flat, or another that is bulkier but more stable. Wet, slippery, and messy boots, whether from snow or mud, add another dimension, and wind can move steps from their preferred positions (I use bungees). Multiple roadside stops during long road trips can make folding steps less convenient to deploy and store.

Beefy, 3/16″ thick tubing

The White Knuckle Off Road Hitch Step is not merely a step. It is constructed from 3/16″-thick, 2″ by 3″ rectangular tubing, and is “4×4 trail ready”, according to White Knuckle. Surely this is not merely a claim, as many aftermarket bumpers are made from 3/16″ steel plate, so this should be equally stout. Yes, adding a protrusion off the rear reduces the truck’s departure angle. However, convenient camper access is required much more frequently that maximum off-highway clearance.

I had to remove my Factor 55 HitchLink recovery point (it remains with the truck) to install the step. For some pulls a Factor 55 Shorty Strap or a soft shackle around the step should work. Powder coated black and delivered with a new receiver pin, the welds are beautiful. After test fitting and a few trips in and out of the camper, I added Jessup conformable grip tape (skateboard tape) to increase friction.

I carefully considered the positives and negatives of adding White Knuckle Off Road’s Hitch Step, but think I’m going to be happy with the addition. This weekend I spent hours loading the camper for an upcoming Canadian trip, and used the Hitch Step many times. Works for me.